Thalmic Labs uses iPad on wheels to work long distance

As Waterloo Region's tech sector grows, many startups andcompanies in the community have to co-ordinate with employees or collaborators in other parts of Canada and abroad.

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For certain occasions where an email or a phone call won't do, Thalmic Labs in Kitchener has a unique solution: a robot.

Developed by Double Robotics in California, the robot, or Double, is essentially an Apple iPad on wheels that can be piloted remotely using a Mac or PC computer, iPhone or a second iPad.

That's what San Francisco-basedAnand Janefalkar used when he wanted to communicate with Thalmic colleagues in Kitchener. (Between the time the video was shot and this story was published,Janefalkar had stoppedworking for the company).

"Human face to face interaction trumps everything," said Janefalkar. "But it is quite a bit of an upgrade from a phone call or a video call."

To see the Double in action, click on the video above.